Why did Zeus carry a thunderbolt? Which instrument did Pan play? Where did the jackal-headed god Anubis stand guard? When did Baba Yaga use a mortar and pestle? Why did the god Maui catch the Sun in a noose? All these questions and more are answered in Mythology an outstanding and original Eyewitness Guide. For as long as humans have inhabited the world they have tried to explain its many mysteries from how the world was created to what happens after death. Every society from Greek and Roman to Aztec and African has its own collection of myths - special stories that attempt to make sense of the world around us. Although their cultures may differ many societies tell curiously similar stories of gods heroes giants and beasts with amazing powers. Such myths may be thousands of years old passed down by word of mouth through the generations or recorded in words or pictures. Outstanding and original photography provides a unique glimpse of hundreds of magical myths from around the world. The author Neil Philip has a PhD in mythology and folklore and has written many mythology titles for both children and adults including The Illustrated Book of Myths and Annotated Myths and Legends for Dorling Kindersley.

 

This book features in the following series: Dk Eyewitness, Dk Eyewitness Guides .

There are 64 pages in this book. This is a reference book. This book was published 1999 by Dorling Kindersley Ltd .

Neil Philip is a writer and a critic with an interest in the fairy tale.

This book has the following chapters: What is mythology?; creation of the world; the cosmos; sun and moon; making humankind; supreme beings; floods and storms; the elements; the natural world; fertility and birth; children of the gods; ancestor worship; evil forces; super heroes; divine weapons; gods of war; contacting the spirits; love, fortune, and happiness; tricksters; animal idols; mythical beasts; painting the story; universal creatures; death and the underworld; sacred sites; end of the world.